Released on May 28, 2026.
Originally performed by NF.
modern metal
2026 Covers – The L.I.F.E. Project: “You Can’t Bring Me Down”
Female-Fronted Friday: Nail Bite
When: 2021
Where: Lancaster, PA
Genre: Metal
FFO: Arch Enemy, Otep, early Static-X
Nail Bite was formed in 2021 by Johnnie Bitting (guitar/vocals), and over the last five years, they have taken the metal world by storm!
Currently comprised of Johnnie, Lonna Nelson (vocals), Caiden Nelson (keys), and John Bitting (bass), this young quartet has played major festivals such as Blue Ridge, Louder Than Life, and Inkcarceration. They are often labeled “avant-garde metal,” which is rather fitting as they do not limit themselves musically, blending every genre you can think of on top of metal roots.
Nail Bite released their debut album, Welcome to Partyland, in early 2023. Their sophomore record, Nostalgia, was released in January 2025 and was rapidly followed by an EP entitled Anomaly that June.
The band has spent much of 2026 performing live and building their social media in order to grow their fan base. They only have five shows left for the year, but who knows what 2027 will bring? Give ’em a follow so you don’t miss out!
“Velvet Nights”
“You Know Who You Are”
“The Heart”
“Cut It Out”
With a Vengeance Announces Fall 2026 Tour
Former Bad Wolves band mates Tommy Vext and Chris Cain have reunited and launched a new project. With a Vengeance is an LA-based modern metal band that consists of Vext (vocals), Cain (guitar), Austin D’Amond (drums), Angel Vivaldi (guitar), Xander Raymond Charles (bass/guitar), and Kevin Creekman (bass). They released their first single, “Shared Light,” back in July and have now announced a fall tour.
Tickets: with-a-vengeance.com
- 10/14 – Little Rock, AR – Revolution Room
- 10/15 – Dallas, TX – AM/FM
- 10/16 – Lubbock, TX – The Garden
- 10/18 – Oklahoma City, OK – 89th Street
- 10/19 – Wichita, KS – Wash Wave
- 10/21 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
- 10/22 – Columbus, OH – The King of Clubs
- 10/23 – Cadillac, MI – The Venue Event Center
- 10/24 – Belvidere, IL – Apollo Theater
- 10/25 – Joliet, IL – The Forge
- 10/26 – Cleveland, OH – Cambridge Room at House of Blues
- 10/28 – Hartford, CT – The Webster
- 10/29 – Derry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall
- 10/31 – Harrisburg, PA – XL Live
- 11/1 – Pittsburgh, PA – Crafthouse Stage and Grill Parking (Pittsburgh Valet)
- 11/2 – Huntington, WV – Jerk Riley’s
- 11/4 – Iowa City, IA – Wildwood Smokehouse & Saloon
- 11/5 – Lincoln, NE – 1867 Bar
- 11/6 – Sioux Falls, SD – Icon Lounge + Events*
- 11/7 – Rapid City, SD – The Park*
- 11/9 – Greeley, CO – Moxi Theater*
- 11/10 – Grand Junction, CO – Mesa Theater*
- 11/12 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theater*
- 11/13 – Ramona, CA – Ramona Mainstage*
- 11/14 – Pomona, CA – The Glass House*
* w/Alibis
Five Songs I’m Obsessed With [8/17 – 8/23]
Female-Fronted Friday: Velcara
When: Formed earlier, circa 2024, but didn’t debut their first single until 2026
Where: New York, Maryland, Massachusetts
Genre: Modern metal/Metalcore
FFO: Spiritbox, I Prevail, Poppy
Velcara has existed in some form for a couple of years, yet they did not unleash their debut single, “Fury,” until January 2026. Since then, the band has released two more songs, “Green-Eyed Suicide” and “Lunacy.” The members are vocalist Janel Monique (formerly of Conquer Divide), drummer Luka Stinar, guitarist Nick Palma, and bassist Kenjamin Smiertelny.
Velcara are still writing, gearing up to share new music and eventually bring all their hard work to the stage! Check them out below and be sure to follow their socials so you don’t miss any updates!
“Fury”
“Green-Eyed Suicide”
“Lunacy”
Jiluka Announces Second US Leg on the Devils World Tour 2026
Japanese visual kei metal band Jiluka is coming back to the States for a second round of the “Devils World Tour.” This time they will be accompanied by What Lies Below and Mirrorcell. Tickets are still available at jiluka-web.com!
- 7/16 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar
- 7/17 – Austin, TX – Come and Take It Live
- 7/18 – Lubbock, TX – Jake’s Backroom
- 7/20 – El Paso, TX – Lowbrow Palace
- 7/22 – Fresno, CA – Strummers
- 7/23 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick [21+]
- 7/24 – Ventura, CA – Ventura Music Hall
- 7/26 – Long Beach, CA – Vans Warped Tour 2026
Jiluka: [Devils] World Tour, U.S. 2026
Japanese visual kei outfit Jiluka is coming to the U.S. as part of their [Devils] World Tour. Boasting support from Illinois-based metalcore act VCTMS and French metal band TSS, this May run kicks off in Greenville, South Carolina, on the 8th. Tickets can be purchased at jiluka-web.com, and VIP packages are available at themasterpass.com!
- 5/8 – Greenville, SC – Radio Room
- 5/9 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (Purgatory)
- 5/10 – Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome to Rockville 2026*
- 5/12 – Greensboro, NC – Hangar 1819
- 5/13 – New York, NY – The Brooklyn Monarch
- 5/15 – Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival 2026*
- 5/16 – Cudahy, WI – X-Ray Arcade
- 5/17 – Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
- 5/19 – Oklahoma City, OK – 89th Street Collective
- 5/20 – Dallas, TX – Puzzles
- 5/22 – Colorado Springs, CO – Black Sheep
- 5/23 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater
- 5/25 – Mesa, AZ – The Nile Theater
- 5/26 – Las Vegas, NV – Grey Witch
- 5/28 – Sacramento, CA – Harlow’s
- 5/29 – Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone
- 5/30 – Pomona, CA – The Glass House
* Festival; Jiluka only
The Mostly Music Podcast, Ep. 2: Rock ‘n’ Roll Messiah 101
I had the chance to interview Muscle Shoals, Alabama-based Chase “The Ace” West, aka Rock ‘n’ Roll Messiah! We chatted about his musical journey, from what inspired him to pick up a guitar as a kid all the way to this new project.
A little bit of background: I have known Chase since 2013, when he joined The Velcro Pygmies as their new guitarist. You might think that would make this interview easier, but… I guess it did in some ways, not so much in others.
Also, enjoy my brother’s cat and his inability to be ignored 😂 He’s a giant furball and I was distracted by the risk he posed to my laptop, cords, lighting, etc.
Hope y’all like it!
Be sure to visit this page for all things Rock ‘n’ Roll Messiah, including music, merch, and his socials!
